Folding table



Feb. 17, 1948.

G. L. PROTHRO, SR

Filed July 11, 1944 FOLDING TABLE 2 Sheets-Sheet l INVENTOR. i

HTTUMAEYEL Feb. 17, 1948. G. l.. PROTHRO, sR 2,436,056 l 'FOLDING TABLE Filed July 11, 1944 2 sheets-sheet 2 "1 ./o l l f Z GPMZHMJR rami/fra'.

Patented Feb. 17, 1948 FOLDING TABLE Gardrad v.Lestarjette Prothro, v

San Antonio, Tex. Application Julyii, 1944, .serial No.5443c3 The device forming the subject matter of this application is a table comprising frames connected by a hinge, and adapted to be folded to form a carrying case, in which picnic equipment and the detachable legs of the table may be stowed, when the table is not being employed for the purpose which its name indicates.

When the table is in use, the legs are assembled with the frames bymeans of retainers on the frames. One object of th'e invention is so to construct the retainers that they will have a double function. One function of the retainers is to provide a mounting for the legs. Another function of the retainers arises out of the fact that the retainers on the outer corners of one frame receive the outer corners of the other frame, when the table is folded, the frames being held in alignment, strain being taken off the hinge, which connects the frames and a stable carrying-case resulting.

A further object of the invention is to improve the connection between the legs and the retainers.

Other objects will be brought out as the description proceeds.

Within the scope of what is claimed, the structure described and shown may be changed, without departing from the spirit of the invention.

In the drawings:

Fig. 1 is a longitudinal section showing a table constructed in accordance with the invention, parts being broken away;

Figs. 2, 3, and 4 are sections taken, respectively, on the lines 2 27 3-3 and 4-4 of Fig, 1;

Fig. 5 is a fragmental bottom plan showing a portion of one of the table-frames, the retainer being in sections;

Fig. 6 is an elevation showing the frames, the legs being removed and parts being broken away;

Fig. 7 is an end `elevation showing the table folded to form a carrying-case.

The table comprises an open-bottomed first frame I and an open-bottomed second frame 2. The frames I and 2 are of the same outline.

Each of the frames I and 2 includes sides 3, outer end members Il, inner end members 5 and a top 6. The frames I and 2 preferably are rectangular in top plan.

Substantially vertical, angular retainers 'I receive the outer corners of the frame I and secured thereto. Similar retainers 8 receive the outer corners of the frame 2 and are secured thereto.

Legs 9 are detachably assembled, in a manner to be pointed out hereinafter, with the retainers 1 and 8. The inner end members 5 of the frames 1 anim. (01.311490) '"1 I Aand2 are connected at their lower edges-by an;V

upwardlyopening hinge I 0,'.

Referring to Fig. 6, the retainers 'I of the first frame I are short enough to expose portions II at the corners of that frame. The retainers 8 of the second frame 2 project, as shown at I2, beyond the lower edge of that frame and receive the corner portions II of the frame I, when the table is folded on the hinge I0 to form a carryingcase as in Fig. 7. The legs 9 are of such a length that they may be housed in the aforesaid carrying-case.

Since the projecting parts I2 of the retainers 8 receive the portions I I of the corners of the frame I, when the table is folded as in Fig. 7, a stable carrying-case results, strain is taken off the hinge lil. It should be noted that the retainers 1 and 8 have a two-fold office; they attach the legs 9 to the frames I and 2, and they receive the corner portions II of the frame I, as hereinbefore mentioned. It is unnecessary to resort to pins and sockets, and similar constructions, distinct from the leg retainers, in order to prevent strain from being thrown on the hinge I0, when the device is in the folded form of Fig. '7.

A handle I4 on the outer end member of the frame I contributes to portability, The end members 4 carry a hasp and eye structure I 5, permitting the use of a lock (not shown) when the device is in the carrying-case condition depicted in Fig. 7.

Referring to Fig. l, if an attempt is made to lift the table from places otherwise than at the ends, the table will tend to break upwardly, in the direction of the arrow A, unless some means is supplied to prevent such an operation. The means to that end may be bolts I6, forming a detachable connection between the inner end members 5 of the frames I and 2, and located as desired.

The legs 9 are angle-members, receiving the retainers 1 and 8, as shown in Fig. 4. The retainers 'I and 8 include angular'ly disposed wings I1, receiving the angles I8 of the frames I and 2. The wings I1 are secured to the members 3 and d of the frames I and 2 by fastening devices I9, for example screws. The outer portions of the wings II are offset, to form flanges 28, which are spaced from the frames I and 2.

The lateral walls of the legs 9 have hookanges 2I, receiving the oiset portions 20 of the retainers I and 8, as indicated in Fig. 4. The outer edges of the fianges 20 of the retainers 1 and 8 have a downward wedge-slant, as shown at 22 in Fig. 6. The legs 9 have a downward taper.

as indicated at 23, to cause portion l2l of the hook-flanges 2l to conform to the aforesaid wedge-slant 22 of the ilanges 2li of the retainers. The legs 9 have a rm hold upon the retainers 'I and 8, in that they are engaged therewith, not only hook-wise, but wedge-wise as well.

The device forming the subject matter of this application is a substantial table, capable of being folded readily for carrying.

The material used may be selected as the man- 10 lightness, combined with flegs having hook-flanges receiving the flanges of the retainers, the legs being downwardly tapered, to cause portions of the hook-anges to conform to the aforesaid wedge-slant.

GARDRAD I LESTARJEITE PROTHRO, SR.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the ille of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 196,500 Taylor Oct. 23, 1877 1,153,946l Ohnstrand Sept. 21, 1915 1,445,566 Stoll Feb, 13, 1923 1,978,650 Shannon Oct. 30, 1924 ^1,533,494 Billburg Apr, 14, 1925 2,380,379 Attwood July 3l, 1945 FOREIGN PATENTS Number Country Date 573,378 France Mar. 8, 1924 

